A man released from prison last week appeared in court again yesterday charged with attempted robbery.

Sean Rodgers (25) of Little Diamond in Londonderry was charged with two counts of attempted robbery that were said to have occurred on Tuesday.

He also faced one charge of possessing an offensive weapon — a knife — on the same date.

A police officer said that at around 7pm on Tuesday two men were walking along the Strand Road when they were approached by a male, who pulled out a 6in knife and said: “Give me your wallets or I'll stab you.”

The men refused to hand over their wallets and crossed the street and informed the police.

The officer said that CCTV footage showed Rodgers then walking towards a nearby garage and placing something in a bin. A knife was subsequently recovered.

Police found Rodgers a short distance away wearing clothes matching the description given by the men. When arrested, he denied it was him on the CCTV.

Police were strongly opposed to bail being granted as Rodgers had a “history of violent offences” with 27 previous convictions.

Judge Barney McElholm said: “This is a dangerous individual and I can see no conditions that would prevent further offending.”

Bail was refused and Rodgers was remanded in custody to appear again on May 23.